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Council introduces first reading to add two alternate members to Parks & Recreation Commission
Summary
City staff proposed and the council introduced the first reading of an ordinance amending San Marcos Municipal Code Chapter 9.08 to authorize up to two alternate commission members with four‑year terms; alternates may vote only when regular members are absent.
The San Marcos City Council on March 11 introduced the first reading of an ordinance amending Chapter 9.08 of the San Marcos Municipal Code to allow up to two alternate members on the Parks & Recreation Commission and to set alternate terms at four years.
Planning staff (Madeline, staff presenter) told the council the current code did not formally reference alternates even though the commission already uses alternates in practice. The proposed amendment clarifies term lengths — four years for regular and alternate members — and adds a new section specifying that alternates are considered members but may vote only when a regular member is absent, recused, or otherwise unavailable. The ordinance also proposes removing certain date‑specific initiation references that are now outdated.
Staff noted related changes to quorum language: a majority of the regular members constitutes a quorum, while alternates may fill in for absent regular members so meetings can proceed.
Action: The council moved to introduce the first reading of the ordinance and voted unanimously to advance the ordinance through the code amendment process. The vote was by voice; the item will return for a second reading and adoption on a subsequent agenda.
Why it matters: The change formalizes current practice, clarifies term lengths and voting conditions for alternates, and resolves outdated code language to conform city code with how the commission currently operates.
